Man in Mobile County diagnosed with West Nile virus

View full sizeJames Gathany, Centers for Disease Control and PreventionA mosquito bite could transmit West Nile virus to birds, horses or humans, even at this time of the year, Health Department officials said Wednesday, Dec. 29, 2010.

MOBILE, Alabama -- A man in his 50s has been diagnosed with West Nile virus in Mobile County, health officials said Wednesday. The virus is a form of mosquito-borne encephalitis.

The man, who lives in the 36610 ZIP code, is being treated at an area hospital and is recovering, according to Dr. Bernard Eichold, who leads the county Health Department.

This is the first human case reported in Mobile County this year, according to David Mann, a spokesman for the department.

While the risk of encephalitis typically coincides with warmer weather, Eichold said, people should still assume the presence of mosquitoes that are infectious for diseases, such as West Nile.

According to Eichold, people with these illnesses often show symptoms of high fever, severe headache, nausea, stiff neck, confusion, muscle weakness, paralysis, disorientation and seizures that are severe enough to require medical attention.